Intravascular catheter with coaxial puncturing means



Aprifi H, 1%? R. G. SPADEMAN 3,3132%9 INTRAVASCULAR CATHETER WITH COAXIAL IUNCTURING MEANS Filed Feb. 5, 1964 m INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,313,299 INTRAVASCULAR CA'I'HE'EER WITH COAXIAL PUNCTURING MEANS Richard G. Spademan, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, Calif. 94304 Filed Feb. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 342,602 9 Claims. (Cl. 128214.4)

This invention relates to catheters and more particularly to an intravascular catheter having integral infusion connection means to permit infusion of fluids without harm or discomfort to the patient.

In many types of medical treatment it is necessary to administer fluids of one sort or another directly into the vascular system of the patient. The normal practice under such circumstances is to pierce the skin and the vascular wall with a catheter device to locate the catheter within the vascular channel and to administer fluids through the catheter to the vascular channel. Under certain circumstances the medical treatment requires an extended period of time, making it necessary to either leave the catheter in place for such period of time or to remove the catheter and repuncture the vascular wall as necessary. Obviously, the latter method is unsatisfactory, since continued punctures of the vascular channel tend to cause venous thromboses, subcutaneous hematomas and otherwise considerable discomfort to the patient. If the catheter is left in place over the extended period of time, it is necessary to prevent as much as possible relative movement between the catheter and the body of the patient into which the catheter extends, for minimum discomfort to the patient.

Heretofore such intravascular catheters have included rigid needles which were used to puncture the skin and vascular wall and then remain in the vascular channel.

Since such devices are of a rigid nature, they cannot adjust to the contour of the vascular wall or the vascular channel, nor can they compensate for movement of the limb of the patient with which the catheter is used. Such movements and such variations in wall contour tend to cause punctures and/or inflammation of the vascular wall, leading to leak-age of vascular fluids to the extravascular tissue. To avoid these problems, it is becoming more and more popular to use flexible tubes of some sort which are extended into the vascular channel and which are of sufficient resilience to conform to the vascular wall and prevent such punctures.

With such flexible catheters, a sharpened trocar or stylet is normally used to puncture the skin and vascular wall, the trocar being disposed within a flexible tube which passes through the vascular wall with it. The trocar may then be removed from the catheter, leaving the tube within the channel, and suitable infusion apparatus attached. Heretofore devices of this nature have required complete removal of the trocar from the catheter and then connection to the infusion apparatus for whatever purpose is desired. This process causes considerable difliculty and has numerous disadvantages. By first removing the trocar and then connecting the infusion equipment, there is a loss of vascular fluid through the catheter, making it a rather messy operation. The possibilities of contamination are increased and the possibility of admitting air to the catheter and thus to the vascular channel is increased. Furthermore, there is considerable discomfort to the patient when the infusion apparatus is attached, since it is practically impossible to hold the catheter in a completely stationary position for attachment of the apparatus.

The device in which this invention is embodied comprises, generally, an intravascular catheter of the flexible type including a hub with a bore formed therethrough and a flexible or resilient plastic tube secured to the Patented Apr. ll, 11967 end of the hub in alignment with the bore. Extending through the bore and through the tubing is a trocar having a sharpened end suitable to puncture the skin and vascular wall for insertion of the plastic tube into the vascular channel along with the trocar. Extending outwardly from the hub of the catheter is a boss or extension, the boss having a passage therethrough in communication with the bore in the hub. Suitable infusion apparatus is attached to the boss prior to the insertion of the catheter into the vascular channel; and when the trocar is removed from the flexible tube and from the hub, the infusion fluids are ready for immediate flow into the vascular channel.

A device of this nature overcomes the disadvantages heretofore found in intravascular catheters. The flexible tube permits the catheter to conform to the contour of the vascular wall and the vascular channel without additionally puncturing the vascular wall within the limb. Since the infusion apparatus is integrally connected to the catheter, the loss of vascular fluid is avoided and the entire device and operation is free of contamination. It is also relatively impossible to admit air to the vascular channel, and the discomfort to the patient is minimized since the catheter need not be touched once the trocar is retracted.

These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view with parts broken away and in section of a vascular channel with a catheter embodying the invention being inserted therein.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the catheter with the trocar removed.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view with parts broken away and in section of the intravascular catheter illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, showing the catheter in condition for insertion into the vascular channel.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view with parts broken away and in section illustrating the condition of the catheter after its insertion into the vascular channel and with the trocar removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGURES 1 and 2 best illustrate the use of the intravascular catheter and its manner of insertion into the vascular channel. In these figures a limb or other portion of a body, illustrated generally by the numeral 10, is shown to include a vascular channel 12 surrounded by a wall 14 disposed within the extravascular tissue 16 and covered 'by a layer of skin 18. Such vascular channel may be located anywhere within the body of the individual and may be a vein, artery, or some other fluid-carrying channel.

When it is necessary to administer a fluid to the vascular channel, for example, when it is necessary to feed the patient by the intravenous method, a catheter, illustrated generally by the numeral 20, is used. The catheter is made to pierce the skin and vascular wall, as will become hereinafter more apparent, so that the end of the catheter 26 may be disposed within the vascular channel 12. The infusion apparatus permits the ingress of the desired fluid to the vascular channel to accomplish the desired result.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the intravascular catheter 29 is shown to include a hub member, illustrated generally by the numeral 22. Hub member 22 may be of any suitable configuration and is shown for convenience to be generally cylindrical and has an axial bore 24 formed completely therethrough. The end of the hub member 22 may be enlarged as at 26, providing a chamber 28 for receiving a reseal plug or the like 30, the purpose for which will become hereinafter more apparent.

Extending outwardly from the body part of hub member 22 and intermediate the ends thereof is a boss or side arm 34 having a passage 36 formed therethrough. Passage 36 communicates with the bore 24 in the body of the hub member 22, and the side arm 34 is formed to receive a tube or the like 38 forming a part of the infusion apparatus. Tube 38 may be of any suitable material and leads to the source of the fluid which is to be infused into the vascular channel 12.

Secured to the end of hub member 22 is a resilient tube 40 which is of sufficient flexibility to conform to the vascular channel contour once it is inserted therein. Tube 40 is secured to the hub member 22 in any suitable manner; and for purposes of illustration, hub member 22 is shown provided with an end 42 of decreased diameter to receive the end of tube 40. A simple press fit may be utilized to secure the two parts together, or if additional holding strength is necessary, a suitable clamp or the like may be used. The opposite end of tube 4% is beveled as at 44 for ease in passage through the skin and vascular wall, as will become hereinafter more apparent. The central opening 46 in the tube 40 is in alignment with the bore 24 of the hub member 22 and extends outwardly from the hub member a sufficient distance to permit easy insertion and proper disposition Within the vascular channel 12.

Slidably disposed in the hub member 22 and the tube 40 is a trocar, illustrated generally by the numeral 48, having a sharpened end extending beyond the beveled end 44 of the tube 40. The opposite end of trocar 48 may be provided with an enlarged head 52 to provide both stop means and gripping means for use by the operator. Trocar 48 is provided with an axial slot 54 extending from the sharpened end 50 to a point adjacent the passage 36 in side arm 34. Slot 54 serves as a means to indicate when the trocar is positioned within the vascular channel, since vascular fluids will be allowed to flow through the slot 54 to the passage 36 in side arm 34. Visible indication may thus be made that the trocar 48 is properly inserted.

In the operation and use of the catheter 20, the device is initially in the position such as shown in FIGURE 3. The sharpened end 5% of the trocar 48 is used to puncture the skin 18 and vascular wall 14, and as it is inserted therethrough, the resilient tube 40' enters the vascular channel along with the trocar. When the tube 40 is properly positioned within the vascular channel 12, the trocar 48 is retracted completely from the catheter, the reseal plug 30 closing the bore 24 in the hub member 22 as the trocar 48 is removed. Since the infusion apparatus 38 is already positioned and already attached to the catheter 20, it is only necessary to begin the infusion flow into the vascular channel 12 for the desired purpose.

Thus, an intravascular catheter device is provided which avoids the discomfort to the patient normally found in presently available catheters. The possibilities of contamination are greatly decreased, and the possibilities of ingress of air to the vascular channel is greatly decreased. The resulting operation is much safer and much more comfortable for the patient since the catheter need not be moved once it is properly located, nor are continued punctures required in order to complete the necessary infusion operation.

Although the foregoing has been primarily described with respect to infusion of fluids into the vascular channel, it is obvious that the reverse is also possible. That is, the catheter may be inserted into the vascular channel for removal of fluids therefrom, the removal operation being the same as above described.

It is also obvious that modifications and alterations to the structure will occur to those having skill in the art after having had reference to the foregoing drawing and description. However, it is not desired to limit the scope of the invention by the preceding description and drawing, but by the scope of the appended claims in which:

I claim:

1. An intravascular catheter comprising:

a hub having a *bore formed therethrough and a passage therein angularly disposed relative to said bore and in communication therewith;

a resilient plastic tube secured at one end to said hub and extending axially therefrom, said tube being in alignment with said bore in said hub;

a trocar extending through said bore in said hub and through said tube and having a sharpened end extending beyond the end of said tube, said trocar being adapted to pierce a vascular Wall to permit insertion of said tube into the vascular channel, and said trocar being retractable from said tube and said hub when said tube is disposed in the vascular channel to permit unimpeded flow through said tube and to permit said tube to flex Within the vascular channel; blocking means in said hub for preventing the flow of fluid from the end thereof opposite from said one end when said trocar is retracted from said tube and said hub;

and means for connecting infusion means to said angularly disposed passage in said hub prior to insertion into the vascular channel for infusing a fluid directly through said tube and into said vascular channel immediately upon retraction of said trocar from said tube.

2. The intravascular catheter set forth in claim 1 Wherein said trocar is provided with a longitudinal slot extending from said sharpened end to a point adjacent said passage, whereby vascular fluid will flow through said slot to said passage when said trocar is inserted into the vascular channel to indicate that said end of said trocar is in the vascular channel.

3. The intravascular catheter set forth in claim 1 wherein said blocking means includes a rseal plug disposed in the end of said bore remote from said tube to permit sealing of said bore when said trocar is Withdrawn from said tub.

4. An intravascular catheter comprising:

a hub having a bore formed therethrough;

a boss formed on said hub intermediate the ends there.- of and having a passage therethrou-gh communicating with said bore;

a resilient plastic tube secured to said hub and extend ing therefrom, said tube being in axial alignment with said bore;

a trocar extending through said bore and through said tube and having a sharpened end extending beyond the end of said tube, said trocar being adapted to pierce a vascular wall to permit entry of said tube into the vascular channel, and said trocar being retractable from said tube when said tube is disposed in the vascular channel to permit said tube to flex within the vascular channel and to permit unimpeded flow through said tube;

blocking means in said hub for preventing the flow of fluid from the end thereof opposite from said one end when said trocar is retracted from said tube and said hub;

said passage in said boss being adapted to convey an infusion fluid directly through said tube and into the vascular channel immediately upon retraction of said trocar from said tube.

5. The intravascular catheter set forth in claim 4 wherein said trocar is provided with a longitudinal slot extending from said sharpened end to a point adjacent said passage, whereby vascular fluid will flow through said slot to said passage when said trocar is inserted into the vascular channel to indicate that said end of said trocar is in the vascular channel.

6. The intravascular catheter set forth in claim 4 wherein said blocking means includes a reseal plug disposed in the end of said bore remote from said tube to permit sealing of said bore when said trocar is withdrawn from said hub.

7. An intravascular catheter comprising:

a hub member having a bore formed therethrough;

a side arm extending from said hub member and intermediate the ends thereof, said side arm having a passage therein communicating With said bore in said hub member;

a resilient plastic tube secured to one end of said hub member and aligned with said bore therein;

a reseal plug secured in the other end of said hub member and closing said bore;

and a trocar havinga sharpened end extending through said reseal plug and said bore in said hub member and said tube and having the sharpened end thereof extending beyond the end of said tube, said trocar being adapted to pierce a vascular Wall to permit entry of said tube into the vascular channel, and said trocar being removable from said tube and said hub member and said reseal plug when said tube is disposed in the vascular channel to permit said tube to flex within the vascular channel and to permit unimpeded flow through said tube:

blocking means in said hub for preventing the flow of fluid from the end thereof opposite from said one end when said trocar is retracted from said tube and said hub;

said passage in said side arm being adapted to convey a fluid directly through said tube and into said vascular channel immediately upon removal of said trocar from said tube and said hub member.

8. The intravascular catheter set forth in claim 7 Wherea boss extending outwardly from said hub member and having a passage formed therethrough and in communication with said bore, said boss being formed to receive an infusion tube;

a resilient plastic tube secured at one end to the end of said hub member remote from said enlargement and extending axially therefrom and terminating in a beveled end, said tube being aligned with said bore in said hub member;

and a trocar extending through said reseal plug and said bore and said resilient tube and having a sharpened end extending beyond the end of said resilient tube, said trocar being adapted to pierce a vascular Wall to permit insertion of said beveled end of said resilient tube into the vascular channel, said trocar having an axial slot formed therein and extending from said sharpened end to a point adjacent said passage in said boss to permit the flow of vascular fiuid to said passage and indicate when said sharpened end is disposed Within the vascular channel, and said trocar being retractable from said resilient tube and said hub and said reseal plug when said resilient tube is disposed in the vascular channel to permit said tube to flex within the vascular channel and to permit unimpeded infusion of fluids to the vascular channel from said passage in said boss.

References Cited by the Examiner in said trocar is provided with a longitudinal slot extending from said sharpened end to a point adjacent said passage, whereby vascular fluid will flow through said slot to said passage when said trocar is inserted into the vascular channel to indicate that said end of said trocar is in the vascular channel.

9. An intravascular catheter comprising: a generally cylindrical hu'b member having an axial bore formed therethrough; an enlargement on one end of said hub member and axially disposed relative to said bore; a reseal plug mounted in said enlargement to seal said bore;

FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1931 France. 11/1954 France.

0 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

DALTON L. TRULUCK, Examiner. 

1. AN INTRAVASCULAR CATHETER COMPRISING: A HUB HAVING A BORE FORMED THERETHROUGH AND A PASSAGE THEREIN ANGULARLY DISPOSED RELATIVE TO SAID BORE AND IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH; A RESILIENT PLASTIC TUBE SECURED AT ONE END TO SAID HUB AND EXTENDING AXIALLY THEREFROM, SAID TUBE BEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BORE IN SAID HUB; A TROCAR EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BORE IN SAID HUB AND THROUGH SAID TUBE AND HAVING A SHARPENED END EXTENDING BEYOND THE END OF SAID TUBE, SAID TROCAR BEING ADAPTED TO PIERCE A VASCULAR WALL TO PERMIT INSERTION OF SAID TUBE INTO VASCULAR CHANNEL, AND SAID TROCAR BEING RETRACTABLE FROM SAID TUBE AND SAID HUB WHEN SAID TUBE IS DISPOSED IN THE VASCULAR CHANNEL TO PERMIT UNIMPEDED FLOW WITHIN THE VASCULAR CHANNEL; SAID TUBE TO FLEX WITHIN THE VASCULAR CHANNEL; BLOCKING MEANS IN SAID HUB FOR PREVENTING THE FLOW OF FLUID FROM THE END THEREOF OPPOSITE FROM SAID ONE END WHEN SAID TROCAR IS RETRACTED FROM SAID TUBE AND SAID HUB; AND MEANS FOR CONNECTING INFUSION MEANS TO SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED PASSAGE IN SAID HUB PRIOR TO INSERTION INTO THE VASCUALR CHANNEL FOR INFUSING A FLUID DIRECTLY THROUGH SAID TUBE AND INTO SAID VASCUALR CHANNEL IMMEDIATELY UPON RETRACTION OF SAID TROCAR FROM SAID TUBE. 